• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • Costa Rhu: Jyoti’s spacious & central Tanjong Rhu condo
        • Shop dress shoes for men in SingaporeDress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore
        • living in singapore demographics expat living reader surveyEXPAT LIVING READER SURVEY 2023
        • Forex trading for beginnersHow to start forex trading in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • VIP Glamourous Giving Sep 2023What’s on this week and beyond
        • Sailing Yacht Charter in SingaporeLuxury yacht rentals in Singapore
        • Where to watch the F1 2023 and party!
        • One Rishta - a website for happiness and culture in Singapore from Rituparna senguptaA new way to access creativity and culture in Singapore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Centre Stage performing arts and drama classes in SingaporeTop ballet, dance and drama classes in Singapore
        • agora colearning inclusive learning environmentThis new preschool has a personalised learning environment
        • learning journey community SASMaking the student learning journey exciting
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent costumes for Halloween in Singapore & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture?
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
        • Modern interior design with a touch of tradition!
        • Singapore home decor by Originals7 best furniture stores for home décor in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • Indonesia travel - where to stay in BaliIndonesia travel – Where to stay in Bali & island resorts
        • Sailing Yacht Charter in SingaporeLuxury yacht rentals in Singapore
        • Beach Villas Wakatobi Indonesian island resort6 Reasons to Book These Beach Villas!
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
        • The best birthday cakes in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Shop dress shoes for men in SingaporeDress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore
        • Six shades full set Bigen Men Beard ColorDye your beard like an expert – at home!
        • Tiffany Cook and Caroline Chin Geyler from T&C Gemstones and JewelleryBespoke jewellery created by a pair of gem lovers!
        • Try the best Spas in Singapore for some pampering!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts about allergies, their symptoms and insurance
        • art therapy depression treatmentNavigating depression with Experiential Therapy
        • The best personal trainers and personal training gyms in SingaporeWhere to go for personal trainers in Singapore
        • Sport clubs in SingaporeWant to join a sports team?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Shoulder injuries and how can they be treated

27th April 2022 by Amy Greenburg 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/shoulder-injuries-orthopaedic-surgeon-singapore/

Here are four common shoulder injuries where you might need to see an orthopaedic surgeon – including a frozen shoulder – and  how they can be treated.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body – but also the most unstable, explains British- and Australian trained consultant orthopaedic surgeon, DR ALAN CHEUNG. “The complex system of tendons and muscles around the shoulder means that if one thing goes wrong, something else typically goes wrong as well!”

For this reason, he has seen plenty of shoulder injuries in his practice, and in his experience as Team Doctor for the Singapore Cycling Foundation and Ringside Doctor for ONE Championship. Some of the most common shoulder injuries he treats include:

#1 Shoulder dislocation

“A dislocated shoulder typically starts with a fall on an outstretched arm, knocking the ball of the shoulder out of its socket,” says Dr Cheung. “If you’re lucky, it will slip back into its normal position quickly. But, if it remains out of place, you’ll need to go to the Emergency Department to relocate the joint.”

Aside from the pain and inconvenience, the main problem with this type of injury is that it tends to recur – particularly in contact sports – leaving you with a persistently unstable shoulder. The younger you are when you dislocate your shoulder, the more likely it is to happen again. In fact, the recurrence rate is around 80 percent in people under 30.

To stabilise the shoulder, you’ll likely need the “Bankart Repair”, a surgical procedure – now done as keyhole surgery – in which the worn-out ligaments are reattached to the joint.

shoulder injuries Orthopaedic Surgeon Singapore

#2 Fractured collarbone

The collarbone, or clavicle, is a long, thin bone that acts as a support beam between the arm and the sternum. It’s one of the most commonly fractured bones in the body, says orthopaedic surgeon Dr Cheung.

Excessive force from a fall can break the collarbone, making this type of injury particularly common in cyclists, martial artists and jockeys.

Most collarbone fractures don’t require surgical treatment and can be managed with a sling, rest and physiotherapy. However, surgery may be necessary for athletes with displaced fractures, where the bone fragments have shifted out of place.

#3 Rotator cuff tear

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and help it to move. When the tendons are damaged – either from a fall or repeated muscle overuse in racquet sports like tennis – you can expect pain and limited shoulder movement.

Dr Cheung usually recommends physiotherapy as the first line of treatment. But, if non-surgical methods don’t work, he says surgery can be performed to re-stitch the tissue to the bone.

#4 Frozen shoulder

As the name suggests, this condition literally freezes your shoulder, preventing you from lifting your arm above shoulder height.

A build-up of inflamed scar tissue kicks off the initial “freezing” phase, a painful period in which the shoulder stiffens.

While your shoulder may eventually “thaw”, Dr Cheung says it can take between one and three years to go back to normal. Therefore, early intervention with physiotherapy and corticosteroid injections is key to limiting the course of the condition. In severe cases, surgical treatment to remove scar tissue may be required.

See a specialist!

No matter what type of shoulder injury you’ve got, if you’re in pain and your daily life is affected, Dr Cheung recommends seeing a sports injury specialist to investigate further and help relieve your pain.

International Orthopaedic Clinic
#05-24 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road
6253 7111 | ioc-ortho.com

This article first appeared in the April 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

Categories: Fitness Health & Fitness Living in Singapore Medical Tags: International Orthopaedic Clinic

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

hikes in singapore

22 walking trails and hikes in Singapore

Aqua fitness: Modern aqua aerobics, making waves!

ufit singapore

What’s holding you back from your fitness goals?

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.